Guests sort, hotel earns

• Equipping hotel rooms with recycling bins reduces overall hotel waste by 40 %
• Savings carry over to associated waste-management costs too 

Statistically, the average hotel guest throws away about two kilograms of waste - paper, plastic, cardboard and cans - every day. The same guest would more than likely recycle all that at home. 

Kimpton Hotel in the UK has equipped its rooms with recycling bins to lower its waste management costs. It has also engaged in awareness-raising efforts to educate and encourage guests to sort their waste like they would at home. Surveys indicate environmentally friendly practices matter to guests so the Kimpton's effort is appreciated, supporting its image as a green hotel.

Key benefits

Apart from the improved image, the measure has significantly reduced how much the hotel spends on hauling away regular waste. By removing paper, plastic and other recyclables from the garbage, hotels can trim their waste disposal bill by 50 %. The savings are likely to be less in smaller, less upmarket properties and locations, but the long-term benefits are still notable.  

The Kimpton is recycling up to 40 % of the materials normally being thrown away. According to the hotel, cardboard recycling alone ranges from € 10-15 000 in savings a year in the hotel.